Citysearch Rolls out Completely Updated App

Citysearch has just released a completely updated and redesigned version of its popular BlackBerry application that goes by the same name. For those unfamiliar with what the app does, it is a “urban companion” designed to make your life in the city much easier. Citysearch does this by putting a ton of instantly searchable information about local spots in the palm of your hand via the magic of BlackBerry. You can search listings of local businesses, access maps and read reviews. It even integrates with your calendars and outlook so you can find a place to meet someone, then invite them there all without leaving the app.

The new version of the app sports some new features. GPS is better supported, and the user interface has been streamlined. The browsing interface has also been made more intuitive and support for searching by keywords within different categorize is now included. Want to find the best pizza shop in the area? Let the app get a lock on your location and then search “pizza” within the restaurant category to find reviews, locations and editors picks.

While Citysearch is free and available via BlackBerry App World, the app does beg the question as to whether or not smaller companies with niche products like this can succeed. Google Maps is growing into a behemoth of a service and does many of the same things already. Besides, the Google team rolls out updates for all of its products at quite a breakneck pace compared to most of its competitors.

Since the app is free, I would recommend downloading and checking it out to see if you like it. Right now the reviews online are mixed and it seems that different cities have more support than others. As users download the new version, expect the reviews to reflect the new features. Besides, future updates might just give us something that Google will be unable or unwilling to compete with. The nice thing about niche apps is that the developers can focus on a feature set that can find a place in the hearts and minds of users. Oh, and in their BlackBerrys.

What are you waiting for? Go download it and see how it works. Then drop a line and let me know what you think.